WHIPPET RACING

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 59, 10 March 1936, Page 6

WHIPPET RACING

SUNDAY -GATHERINGS

"A MORAL MENACE"

A protest against organised Sunday whippet racing was made to the Lower Hutt Borough Council last evening by one of the largest deputations of citizens which has waited on the council.

Oh the initiative of Councillor Macaskill the council last year passed a bylaw giving the council power to control whippet racing and requiring clubs to obtain a permit before holding a meeting. At the February meeting of the council a deputation was 'received, from whippet racing ' clubs, whose solicitor gave an opinion that the council had not the power Ito refuse permits for Sunday racing. That opinion received the backing of; Councillor Rainey, who is also a solicitor.

These opinions- had definite Weight with the council which, though apparently a majority of the members opposed Sunday racing, took no action to refuse the issue of Sunday

During the last month a considerable body of public opinion has ranged itself against the issue of Sunday permits and resolutions protesting against the proposal have been carried by the Anglican, Baptist, Church of Christ, Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches, the Salvation Army, and the Hutt Valley V.M.C.A. Last evening a deputation comprising representatives of the above bodies waited on the council, and the spokesmen were the Hey. J. E. Lopdell and Mr. G. L. Giesen. NOT COMPATIBLE. Mr. Lopdell said, the failure of the council to refuse permits for Sunday racing was not pleasing to a large body of citizens. It had £een said that because a decision; gone against a local body whic? iiught to prohibit Sunday golf, the council therefore had no power to stop Sunday whippet racing, but the two things were not compatible. One wai an amateur sport and the other professional; one was a quiet game and the other noisy. Gambling was associated with whippet racing and gambling*was objectionable at any time, but much more so on Sunday. The community was threatened with the loss of a quiet Sunday and the racing was a menace to the morals of the young, which should be safeguarded. The members, of the deputation desired to be helpful and had the moral and religious welfare of the community at heart. Mr. Lopdell said he trusted the council would deal firmly with the matter, and not let a technical difficulty interfere with the moral aspect, which was of far greater importance. MENACE TO THE YOUNG. Mr. Gieson congratulated the council on its decision to control whippet racing, but hoped permits for Sunday racing would be refused. The Anglican Church; which he represented, was representative of some 12,000 or 13,000 ■ householders. He considered the Sunday racing a distinct menace, to the young people and he could assure the council that there was a wide: range of public opinion against the proposal. Horse racing was not allowed on Sunday and neither should whippet racing be allowed. The' clubs ] charged no admission.and so young; people wirel enticed to; attend: he did: not think'it likely that those in charge ■vtfould glyei the* young 'tfeoplte "who* at-; tended anything in'the way'of religious; instruction..',. He believed the,council; had power to stop the meetings andhe asked'the council, torihe -sake of the young people, to take action. j Councillor Rainey ■ said the reason] the council had not taken action against Sunday racing was because it believed it had no power. Later in the evening the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Andrews) said that he had asked, the Borough Solicitor (Mr. E. P. Bunny) to give the council an opinion as to whether, in the event of the council refusing a permit for Sunday racing, the club in question would be; likely to succeedfiri an action for a! mandamus , against the council. , Irij the course of his .reply Mr. 'Bunny said: "The. fact', that cash prize's are, paid is no doubt?an important -fact; for. consideration\by the council inj exercising its discretion in respect toj each particular application. I would therefore impress upon the council that any deputation advancing its views will receive every consideration when application is made before the council, but that the council should not commit itself further. Therefore, in .my! opinion, an action for mandamus will' ot lie against the council in the event of a refusal of a permit." ' . j The council then went into commit-; tee to discuss the question. : NOTICE OF MOTION. j 'As some indication that further! action will' be taken in- the matter,1 Councillor M. Macaskill has given notice of motion to rescind a resolu-; tion which gives certain power to the Town Clerk. ! The legal effect of a notice of motion is that until it is dealt with'the: council has no power to put in effect1 the resolution it is sought to. rescind;